"Let's take our jewel and grow it," Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford says of his wish to increase funding support for the Birmingham Zoo.

Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford wants to double the city's support for the Birmingham Zoo to $2 million a year and refund taxes and fees collected at the park to support a new exhibit.

The zoo plans to break ground on the $15 million Trails to Africa exhibit later this year, with an opening in 2010. So far, the zoo has raised about $8 million toward the project. Trails to Africa will feature a simulated savannah as well as interactive exhibits.

Langford announced his proposal during today's City Council meeting. He later met with zoo officials to discuss the plan.

Zoo officials said they have already started preparing for Trails to Africa, which will feature a six-acre grassland area.

Under the mayor's proposal, the city would contribute $2 million a year for 15 years to the zoo and refund taxes and fees collected there. The city currently gives the zoo $1 million a year and collects $200,000 to $300,000 in taxes from the facility.

"Let's take our jewel and grow it," he said. "We have the funds to do it."

Langford said the zoo is the area's top attraction, is city owned, and deserves to be supported. He'll present a funding agreement, give exact numbers and funding sources to the council next week.